Southend United say they have had no contact with Sunderland despite reports that Sam Allardyce is angling for a reunion with his former assistant Phil Brown on Wearside.

Brown has been in charge of the League One side for two-and-a-half years, but there has been talk that new Black Cats boss Allardyce is keen to bring the 56-year-old - who spent six years as his assistant at Bolton Wanderers before leaving in 2005 to begin his own managerial career - to the Stadium of Light as his number two.

But Southend chairman Ron Martin says Sunderland have not been in touch with him, and questions whether a return to a backroom role would be a sensible move for Brown in any case.

“There has been no contact whatsoever,” Martin, told Essex newspaper The Echo.

“I don’t understand why there would be either.

“Most assistant mangers aspire to be managers, not the reverse.”

Brown - who was born in South Shields and is a Sunderland fan - took over at Roots Hall in March 2013, having previously spent spells in charge of Preston North End, Hull City and Derby County.

Allardyce left West Ham over the summer where he had been assisted by Neil McDonald, who is currently in charge at Blackpool.